Posted on 11/21/2012 1:10:07 PM PST by MichCapCon
In the upcoming remake of the movie Red Dawn, the United States is invaded by North Korea.
But it wouldn't have happened without Michigan taxpayers.
The remake of the classic Patrick Swayze 1984 movie debuts Nov. 21. It was filmed in Michigan in 2009 and the film company received $16.7 million in film credits from Michigan taxpayers.
Now Michigan residents will get a chance to see what they paid for.
After it was shot, it was widely reported that the filmmakers changed the enemy to North Korea for fear that having China as the villain again would hurt sales in that country. In 2010, movies in China brought in $1.5 billion in revenue, according to The Los Angeles Times.
"We are far more likely to be taken over by North Korea than we are to actually benefit from the Hollywood film subsidies," said Leon Drolet, chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. "The premise behind film subsidies relies more on science fiction than any movie plot ever produced by them."
Red Dawn was the biggest benefactor of film credits in 2009. The Michigan Film Office reported the movie makers spent $44.4 million in the state and got back $16.7 million, which was more than twice as big as the second largest award of $6.1 million. Although the movie was filmed in 2009, its release was stalled when MGM filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
In 2009, the state gave a refundable tax credit of up to 42 percent for production work in the state. That was changed last year to 32 percent. Earlier this year, the Republican-led legislature doubled the film subsidy program from $25 million to $50 million.
"These things are really expensive and ineffective at providing economic development," said James Hohman, a fiscal policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
It would be nice if the movie could be made without the Michigan taxpayers forking over 16.5 million.
But, it is ironic that a movie about a Communist takeover of the USA would be paid for by money confiscated from the tax payer.
A more realistic version would be Obama bringing in the United Nations the help him keep control over the little people ,but without western nations the UN is kind of like North Korea
>IIRC, the actual ‘invaders’ were hired Cuban military in the original.
Combination of Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Russkies. There are two main antagonists a somewhat sympathetic Cuban and a downright nasty Russian.
Does anyone remember that terrible miniseries “Amerika” they did in the 80s, about a fictional Commie takeover of the US?
All I remember was where they would show the Red flags with the pictures of Lenin and Lincoln next to each other.
Yep, it was pretty bad.
Isn’t it though?
Welcome to FR.
The thing that p**ses me off is that money was taken out of my unemployment check to pay for this movie. Think I could have done something better with my share that paid for this movie.
Ol’ Harry Dean Stanton pops up in the weirdest places.
Michigan ID? That’s racist!
Invaded by North Korea?... LoL...
Just kill the officers and the troops will join you...
They have more to fear from their own officers than American troops.. or citizens..
Although brain washed from their youth they know what the deal is..
and that their officers are quite MAD... or they wouldnt be officers..
No doubt the movie doesnt go that way.. since anyone that presumes NK invading the US.. is quite MAD as well..
OR democrats same thing.. unless the US has become the Duchy of Fenwick..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYMuJDajujc
***Holders People in Detroit would surrender without firing a shot....***
I had a Sergeant in the military who told us that the real reason Truman desegregated the ranks was that the North Koreans found that if they hit a part of the line guarded by black troops, they would fold.
I never believed it till I got internet and searched it out. The Sarge was correct.
“Wolverines!???”.... the republican party would have trouble finding a couple of Ferrets...
A great and versatile actor he is.
What did they do, send in "Five O'Clock Charlie"?
Yeah, the Republican is pretty lame. In fact, many of our fellow citizens are pretty lame as evidence by the recent election results. I think we would have many Quislings if such an invasion were ever to happen nowadays.
When my wife’s uncle’s troop train of wounded was overrun in December in Chosin, the NK attack disintegrated when the NK troops discovered the Christmas presents being sent to the troops. The surviving Marines were able to escape from the attack.
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